At what age is it OK to leave a child alone in California? Here’s what the law says

Finding day care for your child can be expensive and difficult, especially in California.

You might be wondering if your kid can stay home alone in the Golden State.

Experts say the answer depends on a few factors. including the child’s comfort level and maturity.

Here’s what to know:

At what age can you leave a child home alone in California?

In California there is no legal minimum age a child can be left alone, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office.

However, the maturity and emotional level of a child are “factors that should be taken into account,” the agency said.

Other U.S. states have varying laws and recommendations — and they can get fairly convoluted.

The Kansas Department of Children and Families advises that children 6 years old or younger should never be left alone, even for short periods of time.

In Georgia, children under the age of 9 shouldn’t be left alone at any period of time, according to the state Department of Children and Family Services. However, kids between the ages of 9 and 12 can be left alone for brief periods.

In a 2015 survey conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, 458 members of the National Association of Social Workers were asked what they thought was an appropriate age for child to be left home alone.

Most social workers agreed a child should be at least 12 years old before being left home alone, the survey revealed.

The respondents also noted that the child shouldn’t be left by themselves for longer than four hours and if the child is hurt while alone, “they are more likely to consider a home alone scenario as neglect.”

When are kids ready to be left home alone?

“There is no sure sign” to let parents or guardians know their child is ready to stay home alone, the California Department of Education said on its website.

Parents will want to consider a number of factors, including whether the child is responsible and can creatively solve problems.

The California Department of Education has a checklist of questions you’ll want to ask yourself before deciding to leave your child home alone.

How can I prepare my child for staying home by themselves?

If you’re confident your child can stay home by themselves, the next step is to prepare your child.

Establishing rules and setting a trial period can help you better assess your child’s ability to be on their own.

Assure your child they can go back to day-care if they don’t feel safe at home, and set a clear trial-period, according to the California Department of Education.

Below are some rules to consider establishing, courtesy of the state Department of Education:

This story was originally published July 24, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "At what age is it OK to leave a child alone in California? Here’s what the law says."